I'm reading this whilst sitting in the pub with my second (so far) pint. I was having a d̶i̶s̶c̶u̶s̶s̶i̶o̶n̶ rant with a fellow drinker about the very subject of the stupidity of queueing not 10 minutes ago!
The sense of entitlement of some people is simply infuriating. Me, me, me! I'm entitled to do whatever I want, wherever and however much I want! No consideration or respect for other people! And when you call them out, they have the audacity to look innocent and even hurt and suddenly you're the villain!
I've never been to British pub. Maybe I am missing out. But you couldn't pay me to go to Nosferatu's Lair or whatever you call it.
Good piece, Lewis. You made me angry and frustrated, then you made me laugh. I'd call that mission accomplished.
Queuing in pubs - just nope. Getting served at the bar has always been an absolute rammy of fighting through likeminded thirsty souls who will do anything to get their pint poured before yours. And that’s how it should remain 😁👍🏼 🍺
I tried using a pub properly recently, but was told by the one(!) person behind the bar to get to the back of the snaking (not a euphemism) queue. I left.
It's deeply uncomfortable having a snake appear next to your table - it wrecks the concept of talking in public at the bar and talking in private at a table.
Also in need of A Great Stoppit is the chanting of 'one more song', instead of that magical synchronised clapping thing, with added foot stomping, that used to happen at gigs...
Hehe this is so true !!!! I’ve started seeing snakers in a few pubs in Kings Cross. I hate it and it gives me anxiety but if it’s started I believe you have no choice but to join it. If I see someone go straight up to the bar I will call them out 🤦🏻♀️ likewise when I’m standing at the bar I make a mental note of the order of people so when the bar person comes up and says who’s next I either say me or the other person cos always there is some bloke (it always is sorry to say) that thinks he can barge in front and get his drinks first. I could say so much about this ! It all gets me mental. lol.
The other day in my local, I ignored the queue once again. The barman, a just and fair young man, served the three or four snakers who were there before me. That’s fine, no beef with that. But I will never stand in a queue in a pub. It is an affront to all laws of society.
Ugh, people suck now! Or did they always? I definitely think “main character energy” has exploded in the last few years & we’ve not done a good job of reigning that in
Why pay big money to go to the theatre - and it is big money these days - and then play with your phone or whatever? As far as I'm concerned:
- if you want to make a call, find a phone box;
- if you want to eat and drink, find a cafe;
- if you want to chat, stay at home.
I don't mind people breathing, so long as they do it quietly. And not too often.
I'm all in favour of 'relaxed' performances. I just wish they would add 'uptight' performances for people like me - I suspect there are quite a few of us. Most of the time, I go to the theatre on my own (I'm a regular) - and that's because even some people who know me will get their phones out, and that's really a deal-breaker for me.
Unfortunately, if you ask people politely to ditch their phones, they'll ignore you. That means you have to go full on scary - I'm a total pussycat, but I can do scary if necessary. And it's very scary, so don't say you weren't warned. One couple left a few minutes after receiving my death stare - possibly because every time one of them looked round they could see the death stare. (And if they weren't turned round, they could probably feel it at the back of their heads. It's a skill.)
Theatres - and cinemas - need to do better. Some are really good but most don't seem very proactive. And 'please turn your phone to silent' is annoying because it's the light from phones that is mainly the problem. (And ditto some watches.)
Queues in pubs? I no longer go in pubs, but I'd be happy with it. As a teenager I worked in a very busy pub and I spent far too much time arguing with people who claimed they were there first. (They weren't.) And there's a special place in Hell for people who grab the wrist of bar staff. They get what they deserve. And it's not being served!
I've given up on the multiplex, no respect for the unwritten rules of society. We're lucky to have an Everyman nearby, where the rules of cinema are followed to the letter. Very civilised.
People actually grabbed your wrist?! That's outrageous. I did 18 years on and off behind the jump, I was never once grabbed.
I'm envious of the Everyman, if they maintain standards (or don't need to because audiences do).
Being grabbed was very rare - and not to be advised. It wouldn't get you served, and - I'm glad to say - likely to lead to you being given a right mouthful. It was that sort of pub.
I'm reading this whilst sitting in the pub with my second (so far) pint. I was having a d̶i̶s̶c̶u̶s̶s̶i̶o̶n̶ rant with a fellow drinker about the very subject of the stupidity of queueing not 10 minutes ago!
Join the crusade, Chris - send this to your local publican.
The sense of entitlement of some people is simply infuriating. Me, me, me! I'm entitled to do whatever I want, wherever and however much I want! No consideration or respect for other people! And when you call them out, they have the audacity to look innocent and even hurt and suddenly you're the villain!
I've never been to British pub. Maybe I am missing out. But you couldn't pay me to go to Nosferatu's Lair or whatever you call it.
Good piece, Lewis. You made me angry and frustrated, then you made me laugh. I'd call that mission accomplished.
"You made me angry and frustrated, then you made me laugh." The best review of my writing ever, thank you.
And you've got to try a proper British pub. You ever need a guide, give me a shout.
Another fabulous rant.
Thanks Tamara, It was very cathartic getting it out.
Thank you for the laugh!
Haven't been back to Blighty for 10 yrs. The bars here in SA are sports bars or half open to the air restaurants or cafes.
I must admit, I don't miss the rugger scrum at the bar!
Thank you for reading! I have actually worked rugby pubs - those scrums are always more intense than in normal pubs.
Queuing in pubs - just nope. Getting served at the bar has always been an absolute rammy of fighting through likeminded thirsty souls who will do anything to get their pint poured before yours. And that’s how it should remain 😁👍🏼 🍺
We’re a lily livered nation, by and large. The queue for the bar is the only place most of us are truly tested.
I tried using a pub properly recently, but was told by the one(!) person behind the bar to get to the back of the snaking (not a euphemism) queue. I left.
It's deeply uncomfortable having a snake appear next to your table - it wrecks the concept of talking in public at the bar and talking in private at a table.
Also in need of A Great Stoppit is the chanting of 'one more song', instead of that magical synchronised clapping thing, with added foot stomping, that used to happen at gigs...
Oh lord, I’ve not heard ‘one more song’ myself. That sounds atrocious.
Hehe this is so true !!!! I’ve started seeing snakers in a few pubs in Kings Cross. I hate it and it gives me anxiety but if it’s started I believe you have no choice but to join it. If I see someone go straight up to the bar I will call them out 🤦🏻♀️ likewise when I’m standing at the bar I make a mental note of the order of people so when the bar person comes up and says who’s next I either say me or the other person cos always there is some bloke (it always is sorry to say) that thinks he can barge in front and get his drinks first. I could say so much about this ! It all gets me mental. lol.
The other day in my local, I ignored the queue once again. The barman, a just and fair young man, served the three or four snakers who were there before me. That’s fine, no beef with that. But I will never stand in a queue in a pub. It is an affront to all laws of society.
It’s awful I agree but I couldn’t and wouldn’t t have the guts to ignore it and go straight to the bar 🤣🤣🤣
Evil triumphs when good people do nothing.
That is very true 😆
Ugh, people suck now! Or did they always? I definitely think “main character energy” has exploded in the last few years & we’ve not done a good job of reigning that in
Why pay big money to go to the theatre - and it is big money these days - and then play with your phone or whatever? As far as I'm concerned:
- if you want to make a call, find a phone box;
- if you want to eat and drink, find a cafe;
- if you want to chat, stay at home.
I don't mind people breathing, so long as they do it quietly. And not too often.
I'm all in favour of 'relaxed' performances. I just wish they would add 'uptight' performances for people like me - I suspect there are quite a few of us. Most of the time, I go to the theatre on my own (I'm a regular) - and that's because even some people who know me will get their phones out, and that's really a deal-breaker for me.
Unfortunately, if you ask people politely to ditch their phones, they'll ignore you. That means you have to go full on scary - I'm a total pussycat, but I can do scary if necessary. And it's very scary, so don't say you weren't warned. One couple left a few minutes after receiving my death stare - possibly because every time one of them looked round they could see the death stare. (And if they weren't turned round, they could probably feel it at the back of their heads. It's a skill.)
Theatres - and cinemas - need to do better. Some are really good but most don't seem very proactive. And 'please turn your phone to silent' is annoying because it's the light from phones that is mainly the problem. (And ditto some watches.)
Queues in pubs? I no longer go in pubs, but I'd be happy with it. As a teenager I worked in a very busy pub and I spent far too much time arguing with people who claimed they were there first. (They weren't.) And there's a special place in Hell for people who grab the wrist of bar staff. They get what they deserve. And it's not being served!
I've given up on the multiplex, no respect for the unwritten rules of society. We're lucky to have an Everyman nearby, where the rules of cinema are followed to the letter. Very civilised.
People actually grabbed your wrist?! That's outrageous. I did 18 years on and off behind the jump, I was never once grabbed.
I'm envious of the Everyman, if they maintain standards (or don't need to because audiences do).
Being grabbed was very rare - and not to be advised. It wouldn't get you served, and - I'm glad to say - likely to lead to you being given a right mouthful. It was that sort of pub.
My local Everyman is impeccably polite. It's almost like the old days.